Tropical Cyclone Tomas has slammed into Fiji's northern islands with winds of up to 170 mph and heavy rain, local officials have reported.
The Category 4 storm battered the island on Monday night with one person reported to have died and numerous buildings damaged.
The Fiji Times claims the woman in her 30s was swept away by a huge wave at the weekend after saving her two children from the storm surge.
Reports from the scene claim some areas have been affected by flooding due to the heavy rains, with thousands of residents forced to flee to evacuation shelters.
Curfews have now been imposed in central, eastern and northern parts of Fiji as a precaution.
Forecasters in Fiji predict the cyclone will head south-east and come within 120 miles of the capital Suva on the main island of Viti Levu later.
Mariners have been warned to stay out of the waters surrounding Fiji, with waves of up to 24ft predicted.
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